General season archery spike unit 356.

[aer212]

How many of you would hunt the general season archery in the Bumping unit, William O Douglas wilderness area? I havn't got my first elk yet and was thinking if I didn't draw I might head over there and try it. I had the quality tag in 2010 and got into some elk so I know where they are at but I'm wondering if its worth it to head in deep for a spike. When we went in 2010 we were 5 miles in to main camp and hunted 10-15 miles from there. This time I have access to horses, last time it was backpack work. So what do you think, worth it for a first elk? Also if I do this, what are some ways to hunt spikes? Is ambush the most likely way.

[hughjorgan]

I would opt for a cow/spike unit if you never harvested an elk you shouldn't have a problem finding cows. Better odds of success in my opinion. Did you happen to put in for one of the fifty cow permits in there this year?

[aer212]

No, I put in for the quality goose prairie tag. This is just me and I could be way wrong but I feel confident that I could go up there and kill a elk no problem. Just doesn't really seem worth it for a spike because it is a tough hunt.

[HornHoarder]

I was going to suggest going a little further west, and hunting for big bulls, but I'm assuming you already have a eastside tag. Not worth the effort, just to hunt spikes in my opinion.

[hughjorgan]

If you feel confident you can get it done, I say go for it especially since you have access to horses. Definitely would be a fun experience. That goose prairie tag isn't going to be an easy tag to draw either if you don't have some points built up.

[aer212]

Yeah, I already have eastside tag. I don't have many points, used them up in 2010. I feel lucky though! Either way I will be up there this year with horses, just not sure if I will be hunting or helping someone else. I have a friend and his dad that I think put in for the bull rifle tags in October. Thats probably getting pretty close to snow time though. Anyone know how it has been in years past? When does it start getting snowed out?

[MIKEXRAY]

I've hunted the bumping for years & see a lot of elk each season. I hunted "spike only"  with my bow last season and had a lot of confidence getting one.  I did see a lot of elk , no other hunters , but getting an archery shot on a spike only is tough.  At the end of the year I felt kind of dumb for even trying, it is a lot of effort for a spike. Mike


One morning I had a spike buck  &  3 point bull in range and could of shot each, exact opposite of what I could take.  I sat there and pondered the irony over lunch.       

[aer212]

Thats what I was wondering, how does a guy go archery hunting spike only? We saw some spikes when we were up there last but mostly saw branch bulls and cows.

[gasman]

Thats what I was wondering, how does a guy go archery hunting spike only? We saw some spikes when we were up there last but mostly saw branch bulls and cows.

About just as easy as going to a 3 point or better.....duh.....

[aer212]

What do you mean? If thats the case why didn't we call any spikes in? We called in 13 bulls and all but one were mature bulls, the one was a raghorn 6x6.

[GoPlayOutside]

I have been "conditioned" to hunt spikes my whole hunting career.  I now kind-of find it pretty easy.  If you can find cows, you can find a spike.  Spike's tend to be more stupid than cows.  So if you can wait out the cows, the Spike's will normally start grazing in all directions without much caution.

And yes, it's totally worth it to work your butt off to hunt Spike's.  Even in an easier terrain area, hunting elk is still hard.  It is always better To Hunt, than Not To Hunt!

[PlateauNDN]

Dang!  I was hooping they wouldve left them closed since it limited road access(hunting) and left some good areas closed to motorvehicles.  Haven't been in that area yet this year but if its elk hunting its always worth it.  Was running around this past weekend and seen some nice looking spikes and bunch of dee near the bumpin so they're out there.

[deerslyr]

Ive been know to do it a time or two. I think its an awesome hunt even if im only after a spiker

[colockumelk]

I don't think it's foolish. I thought I was a fool for chasing "true spikes" with my bow but I ended up getting one so you never know. If I had horses though I'd be on the west side in a wilderness area chasing branch bulls near the PCT, or in the Norse Peak wilderness chasing cows/spikes.

[aer212]

My guess is the 356 will get hammered this year especially in the William O as  the 1800 and 1808 are fixed. Saw a few spikes last year during general and nailed one. I would be beginning to scout now if I were you if you.

When was the road wiped out? Like I said we were in there 2010 and the 1808 was fine. You think there will be a lot of people in deep for general archery?